Yes, at least South of K-10, we call it – COOPETITION

co·op·e·ti·tion
/kōˌäpəˈtiSH(ə)n/
noun

• collaboration between business competitors, in the hope of mutually beneficial results.

In the first half of 2018 , the City of De Soto released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Gigabit Internet service throughout the City Limits. The RFP focused special attention on the areas within City Limits that are South of K-10 (see Map) as those areas are at a significant disadvantage because they have no Internet service options from the incumbent telephone (AT&T) and cable companies (Spectrum). These companies have chosen to avoid building out in this area due to the limited number of potential customers and the distance between these customers. As a result of this, the City offered a Financial Incentive to help offset the build out costs for this portion of the City. Three companies responded to the RFP: Spectrum, RG Fiber and Zoom Fiber.

RG Fiber was awarded the contract and Financial Incentive to perform the buildout, due in part, to a provision within the proposal which allows for competitors to utilize additional conduits installed during the buildout.

The City encouraged Zoom Fiber to lease the additional conduits and has signed a lease agreement with Zoom Fiber to work along side RG Fiber on the South side of K-10 Highway.  This will give residents the choice between two different service providers!

Zoom Fiber is not getting any Financial Incentives from the City, instead, we are building and paying for this ourselves.